Personal computer-based set-top converter for television services

ABSTRACT

A peripheral device is provided for a personal computer enabling the PC to provide the functions of a set-top box for television reception. Communication of television and control signals between the television and PC can be provided over the cable wiring already provided in the subscriber premises. Alternatively, wireless communication can be provided between the television and the PC. The invention obviates the need for a set-top box and the associated expense thereof. The television operations take place in the multitasking environment of the PC, so that the PC can be concurrently used for other applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to subscription television services whichmay be provided by cable or satellite, and more particularly to atelevision interface which may be provided as a personal computer (PC)peripheral that enables a PC to receive, select and process televisionsignals for use by a conventional television appliance such as atelevision set, VCR, or the like.

To date, the provision of cable television and satellite televisionservices has focused on the use of a stand-alone "set-top" converterwhich converts signals from the cable or satellite television systeminto signals that can be displayed on a standard television. Variousapproaches combining both the television and the set-top box have beenconsidered in order to obviate the necessity for a stand-alone set-topbox. Such approaches require the set-top box hardware to be incorporatedinto a television set, increasing the cost and complexity of thetelevision. The use of a stand-alone set-top box also represents asignificant cost, with current set-tops generally costing the systemoperator on the order of $250.00 to $350.00 each. This cost is generallyan upfront expense which will only be paid back after a subscriber hassubscribed to and paid for television services over a period of time.

Cable and satellite television system operators are in the process ofimplementing digital television distribution systems. Digital technologyprovides higher quality television reception as well as the availabilityof additional services such as electronic program guides andinteractivity. However, the implementation of digital systems is costlyand has various market drawbacks. These include the rapid change ofdigital technology and demands for more, faster and better serviceswhich challenge existing hardware. Providing new hardware to keep upwith new services is costly, and may therefore be economicallyunattractive to the television system operators.

Moreover, digital set-top boxes are not typically backward compatiblewith present analog set-tops. In fact, there is a growing divergencebetween the two that will keep digital services at a compatabilitydisadvantage as long as analog systems are in place.

Still further, multiple in-home digital set-tops are not economicallyviable. Thus, cable television system operators are not willing toprovide digital services to more than one television set in a consumer'shome for the standard monthly service fees.

Current digital set-top boxes have several hardware drawbacks as well.For example, the over-utilization of the microprocessor in presentlyavailable set-tops slows down the consumer interactivity for functionssuch as channel change and electronic program guide retrieval. Memory indigital set-tops is also limited due to its cost. This limits theelectronic program guide features as well as firmware/software updates.Present day digital set-tops also have a limited capability to handlemultiple resident programs and applications. Moreover, graphicscapability is limited by cost considerations in designing an economicaldigital set-top box.

It would be advantageous to provide a system for overcoming thedrawbacks of current set-top boxes. Such a system should enable multipleservices (e.g., television services and/or data services such asInternet access) to be accessed concurrently. The system should also becompatible with cable television, satellite television, and multichannelmultipoint distribution services (MMDS).

It would be further advantageous to provide a system in which nostand-alone set-top box is required. This system should be lessexpensive than present day systems for providing subscription televisionservices and should be versatile enough to enable new applications to beimplemented without the need for new hardware. Moreover, it would beadvantageous for such a system to utilize existing hardware, such asrandom access memory (RAM) data storage provided by a hard drive or thelike, and communications capability, already provided in a user's PC.The expanded hardware capabilities of a PC, for example, would enablenew and greatly enhanced features and services that are not currentlyavailable via a set top box.

The present invention provides a television system having theaforementioned and other advantages, wherein a personal computer is usedto provide a television interface between a subscription televisionsystem and one or more subscriber television appliances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a peripheral device isprovided for a personal computer. The peripheral includes a televisioninterface for enabling the PC to receive, select and process televisionsignals, which may be digital or analog. A communications portoperatively associated with the television interface communicates thetelevision signals processed by the interface to a television appliancesuch as a television set, VCR, or the like.

The television interface can comprise audio and/or video decompressionmeans for decoding (e.g., digitally) the television signals. PCapplication software operatively associated with the peripheral deviceis adapted to run on the PC for controlling television functionsprovided by the television interface. For example, the software canprovide an electronic program guide function to the television appliancevia the television interface. The software is advantageously adapted torun in a multitasking mode with other unrelated applications in the PC.For example, the PC can run a Windows operating environment wherein thesoftware associated with the peripheral device is multitasked with otherapplications. In this manner, television services provided on thetelevision appliance and unrelated applications provided on the PC canbe concurrently accessed. Thus, for example, one person may be watchinga television program on a television set receiving signals from thetelevision interface of the PC, while another person is concurrentlyrunning PC applications directly on the PC. The PC is thus shared byboth users, whereby the person viewing television programs can interactwith the television and television service provider without affectingthe work being done by the second person on the PC. The PC monitor canalso be used to independently display television programs in addition tohaving programs displayed (or recorded) on the separate televisionappliance.

The television interface can include means for converting video andaudio data into a composite analog waveform complying with aconventional analog television standard, such as the National TelevisionSystems Committee (NTSC) standard. The television interface can alsoconvert graphics data for insertion into the composite analog waveform.Such graphics data can be used, for example, in providing an electronicprogram guide and/or for targeting text messages to subscribers.

The television interface can further include means for modulating thetelevision signals on a carrier for output to the television applianceon a standard television channel frequency. In one embodiment, thetelevision interface includes a communications port (e.g., coaxial cableconnector) for coupling the modulated carrier to the televisionappliance.

In another embodiment, the communications port provides wirelesscommunication with the television appliance. The wireless communicationmay be provided over a wireless link which comprises first and secondtransceivers. The first transceiver is operatively associated with thePC television interface for transmitting the television signals to thetelevision appliance and receiving control signals from the televisionappliance, e.g., indirectly or directly from a remote control associatedwith and, for purposes of this disclosure, considered to be part of thetelevision appliance. The second transceiver (which can comprise thetransmitter built into the user's remote control and a separate receivercoupled to a television set, VCR or the like) is operatively associatedwith the television appliance for receiving the television signals fromthe PC television interface. In an embodiment where the televisionremote control does not communicate directly with the first transceiver,the second transceiver transmits the control signals indirectly from theremote control of the television appliance to the first transceiver. Inthis case, the second transceiver can be part of a user interface modulelocated at the television appliance and operatively associatedtherewith. The second transceiver can include means for modulating thereceived television signals on a carrier for output to the televisionappliance on a standard television channel frequency.

The television interface can also include means for generating videoand/or audio output signals from the television signals which enabletelevision services to be viewed on a display (e.g., a computer monitor)associated with the PC. The television interface can further includemeans for providing Internet access to the television appliance via thePC.

The communications port of the peripheral device is preferablybidirectional. The provision of a bidirectional port enables the PC torespond to commands received from the television appliance (or directlyfrom a remote control associated therewith) via the communications port.Such commands can be used, for example, to select and process thetelevision signals. The television interface can further include meansfor generating an onscreen display for output to the televisionappliance.

A user interface for a cable television system is provided in accordancewith the present invention. The user interface comprises means forinputting user requests. Means responsive to the inputting means convertthe user requests into electrical signals. First means are provided forcommunicating the electrical signals to a personal computer. Secondmeans are provided for receiving television signals from the PC inresponse to the electrical signals. Third means communicate the receivedtelevision signals to a television appliance.

The PC used in connection with the user interface receives televisionsignals from, for example, a cable television distribution system. Insuch an implementation, the first means of the user interface arecoupled to the cable distribution system for communicating theelectrical signals to the PC. The television signals are communicatedfrom the PC to the user interface via the cable distribution system. Thetelevision signals may be transmitted from the PC on a fixed televisionchannel frequency. In such an embodiment, a notch filter is provided forblocking the television signals on the fixed television channelfrequency from interfering with other signals on the cable distributionsystem. The first and second means can alternatively comprise one ormore wireless communication paths.

A television system is provided for use with a personal computer and atelevision appliance which is independent of the PC. The systemcomprises a television interface operatively associated with the PC. Thetelevision interface includes a tuner enabling the selection oftelevision services for output to the television appliance. A userinterface is adapted to be colocated with the television appliance andin communication with the PC. This enables a user to remotely controlthe PC to select television services to be displayed on the televisionappliance.

The user interface and PC can communicate over a wireless linkcomprising first and second transceivers. The first transceiver isoperatively associated with the television interface at the PC fortransmitting the television services to the television appliance andreceiving control signals from the user interface. The secondtransceiver is operatively associated with the television appliance andthe user interface for receiving the television services from thetelevision interface and transmitting the control signals from the userinterface. The transmitter and receiver components of the secondtransceiver can be separate. For example, the receiver portion can becoupled to provide the television signals to the television appliance,while the transmitter is located in the user's handheld remote controlfor direct communication with the first transceiver located at the PC.The television interface can include means for controlling a videorecorder in response to instructions received from the user interface.

An advantage of the invention is that the PC provides computer resourcesfor use by said television interface. In particular, these computerresources are shared by the PC and the television interface, and mayinclude at least one of a hard drive, random access memory and a centralprocessing unit. The shared computer resources of the PC may be used bythe television interface to provide, for example, digital televisionservices (e.g., HDTV or NTSC quality digital signals) to said user. Thetelevision interface can also be used to provide compatibility among aplurality of consumer television appliances coupled thereto, such asVCR's, television sets, video cameras, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a subscriptiontelevision system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a cable television implementationof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an interface board for use in apersonal computer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a wireless embodiment of a televisionsystem in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a cable connected user interface inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a wireless user interface in accordancewith the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an alternate wireless embodiment wherein aremote control component of the user interface communicates directlywith the personal computer interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention uses a personal computer to provide an interfacebetween a subscription television service provider and a user'stelevision appliance. In a preferred embodiment, composite video andaudio is converted from a digital signal source into a standard (e.g.,NTSC, PAL, SECAM, etc.) television format for output from the PC to theconsumer's television, negating the need for a set-top box.

FIG. 1 provides a general overview of the present invention in blockdiagram form. Television signals are provided via a cable televisionfeed 10. It is noted that although a cable television implementation isillustrated, the signals communicated via input cable 10 could just aseasily come via a satellite or MMDS television distribution system. Thesignals could also be received via fiber optic cable or copper wiresfrom an alternative television signal supplier such as a local telephonecompany. A cable television company may also provide signals directlyover a fiber optic cable.

A notch filter 12 is placed in series with the incoming televisionsignals to prevent signals from a personal computer 20 via lines 16 and14 and/or from a user interface module 24 via lines 18 and 14 from beingtransmitted to the cable system outside of a user ("subscriber")premises. Line 16, as well as line 14 and 18 comprise the standardcoaxial cable already present in a user's home for distributingtelevision signals. It will be appreciated that in the future, fiberoptic cable may be used instead of coaxial cable in the subscriberpremises.

In accordance with the present invention, television signals arrivingvia cable 10 and line 16 are input to PC 20 for processing. Typically,these will be digital television signals although it is possible that PC20 can be used to process input analog signals as well. The presentinvention provides a peripheral card for PC 20 that is connected to themotherboard of the PC via a conventional expansion slot, which provides,e.g., a PCI interface. Instead of an internal card, the peripheral couldcomprise an external stand-alone box that interfaces with the PC 20 viaa serial or parallel port. However, the provision of an external boxadds cost in terms of the necessary housing and other components, andsomewhat defeats the purpose of providing a cost effective solutionwhich obviates the need for a set-top box.

The television signals received by PC 20 are processed by the televisioninterface peripheral card using resources already present in the PC.These resources include the computer processor (CPU), memory, powersupply, hard drive and associated components of the PC. In this manner,the functions of a set-top as well as additional functions can beprovided without duplicating hardware that is already contained in a PC.The peripheral card need only include the specialized componentsnecessary to process the incoming television and control signals. Suchcomponents may include, for example, a tuner with associated televisionsignal processing circuitry; access control circuitry; limited memoryfor functions such as data processing, booting of the peripheral card,onscreen display and video processing; audio/video decompressioncircuitry; video and audio multiplexers; and an upconverter foroutputting a signal on a frequency that can be received by a user'stelevision. The peripheral card may also contain its own CPU to controlon board functions that are not assigned to the main CPU in the PC. Inan implementation which receives digital television signals, the digitalsignals are decoded and converted to a standard television format suchas NTSC, PAL or SECAM and output via lines 16, 14 and 18 to a userinterface module 24.

In one embodiment, the user interface module contains a transceiver thatis responsive to control signals (e.g., infrared signals) from a user'sremote control 26. For example, a user may select a particular channelfor viewing by entering the channel number on the remote control. Theremote control sends an appropriate IR signal to user interface module24 which decodes the IR signal and forwards a corresponding electricalsignal back to PC 20 via lines 18, 14 and 16. The television interfaceperipheral card or external peripheral device (referred to hereinafteras the "television interface") associated with PC 20 decodes theelectrical signal forwarded by user interface module 24. In response tothe decoded user request, the television interface circuitry associatedwith PC 20 will tune to the requested channel, process it as necessaryand provide the processed signal in the proper format for output to auser's television via lines 16, 14, 18, user interface module 24 andline 30. The user's television 22 processes this signal in aconventional manner to provide a television service to the user. Theoperation of the user interface 24, 26 is described in greater detailbelow in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6.

The television interface provided for use with PC 20 can also converttext and graphic data received, for example, via the Internet into avideo format for inclusion in the composite analog waveform output touser interface module 24 via lines 16, 14 and 18. The upconversion ofthe composite analog waveform to a standard television signal frequencywill enable the television 22 to display the text and/or graphics data.

A telephone connection 28 is provided in a conventional manner so thatthe PC 20 can communicate with the Internet via a standard modem.Alternatively, communication with the Internet and/or the televisionservice provider can be accommodated by an RF return path via coaxial oroptical fiber cables 16, 10. Such RF return paths are well known in theart. Application software running in the PC 20 directs the Internet datato the television interface so that the latter can incorporate this datainto the composite signal forwarded to the user's television fordisplay.

FIG. 2 illustrates the main components of FIG. 1 in greater detail, andshows the utilization of bandwidth within a cable television spectrumfor each of the components. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, thebandwidth of the cable television spectrum extends from 0 to 860 MHz. Itshould be appreciated that the bandwidth utilization illustrated in FIG.2 is for illustrative purposes only, and that other bandwidths may beused now or in the future.

As shown in FIG. 2, PC 20 includes a television interface peripheralcard 40 referred to as a "cable television circuit card assembly"(CT-CCA). The circuit card 40 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG.3. This card is accepted into a conventional expansion slot of the PC.The PC includes application software which is downloaded over the cabledistribution system or alternatively, installed via floppy disk, CD-ROM,or other well known media. The software could also be downloaded to thePC via a telephone communication path, satellite television path, MMDS,or any other available communication path. It will be appreciated thatthe downloaded data can be provided as either in-band or out-of-banddata, as well known in the art. The application software controls thevarious functions of the television interface card 40, including thegeneration of electronic program displays from data provided by thetelevision system operator. The application software resident in the PCwill also be used to tune to channels requested by a user via thehandheld remote control 26 and user interface module 24, to control thebidirectional communication between the user interface module 24 and thePC 20, and may be used to implement security features such as preventingpiracy of television signals.

A key advantage of the present invention is that little or nomodification needs to be done to the existing wiring in a subscriber'shome. Cable 14 is the existing cable within the consumer's home. Inorder to implement the system of the present invention, a tap 42 isplaced on the in-home coaxial cable (if such a tap is not alreadypresent) to enable the PC television interface card 40 to be coupled tothe cable via line (e.g., coaxial cable) 16. A tap 46 is provided forthe user interface module 24. Although a separate tap 46 is illustratedin FIG. 2, it should be appreciated that the user interface module 24could tap directly into tap 44 which is already present for the user'stelevision. In this instance, a splitter is provided within userinterface module 24 that provides a tap to which the user's television22 is connected. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the user interfacemodule would connect to cable 14 via line 18 (and tap 44 not shown inFIG. 1). The user's television would be coupled to the cable 14 via line30 and a splitter internal to user interface module 24, which couplesline 30 to line 18.

A notch filter 12 is also provided to prevent signals output by the PC20 on line 16 and output by user interface module 24 on line 18 frominterfering with the cable distribution system external to the user'shome. For convenience, notch filter 12 can be installed at the pointwhere the cable drop from the cable system enters the user's home.Alternatively, the notch filter can be installed on a telephone pole orat a junction box "at the curb" where the cable services are "dropped"to the subscriber location.

The operation of the notch filter is illustrated by the frequencyspectrums shown in FIG. 2. The overall cable spectrum 50 extends from 0to 860 MHz. The notch filter 12 will filter out a particular channel(channel "N") which is the channel to which the user's television 22 istuned in order to receive the cable services. For example, channel "N"can be the 6 MHz channel slot assigned to channel 2 or channel 3. Theeffect of the notch filter is illustrated in spectrum 52, in whichchannel N has been filtered from the 0 to 860 MHz spectrum.

As illustrated in curve 54, the television signals and control datatransmitted from the PC 20 to the user interface module 24 and viceversa are communicated within channel N. The resultant spectrum 56communicated via cable 14 in the subscriber premises includes all of thechannels in the original 860 MHz spectrum except for channel N, withchannel N being filled in by the video and control data communicatedbetween the PC 20 and the user interface module 24. Television 22 isalso tuned to channel N in order to receive the selected televisionservice output from the television interface card 40 which is installedin PC 20. The notch filter 12 will prevent the video and control signalscommunicated between the PC 20 and the user interface module 24 (andoutput to television 22) from interfering with the cable system outsideof the subscriber premises.

FIG. 3 illustrates the television interface card 40 that is installed inPC 20 in accordance with the present invention. The television interface40 includes a standard circuit card connector 94, such as a PCIinterface connector, for installation of the card into a standardexpansion slot of the PC 20. Three ports are provided on the interfacecard. These are a TV direct port 60, cable TV I/O port 62 and telephonereturn port 64. The TV direct port 60 can be used as the input to atransceiver for a wireless implementation in which communicationsbetween the PC 20 and user interface module 24 are carried by radiofrequency (RF) or infrared (IR) signals. Alternatively, the TV directport can be used as a direct connection (e.g., coaxial connection) tothe user's television.

The cable TV I/O port 62 allows connection of the interface card 40 to asingle feed in the subscriber location, such as one tap of a coaxialhouse feed that has multiple outlets. Thus, no rewiring of thesubscriber premises is necessary. When the cable TV I/O port is used inthis manner, it is advantageous to include the notch filter 12 asindicated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The telephone return port 64 enables a subscription television serviceprovider (e.g., cable, satellite or MMDS) to poll the user's PC via atelephone connection in order to obtain billing information and/or todownload new firmware to the television interface card and/or newapplication software to the user's PC. Polling can alternatively beimplemented using an RF return path to the subscription televisionservice provider.

Television signals from the service provider are input via cable TV I/Oport 62 to a tuner 70 that selects a particular program or service basedon selection commands received from the user interface module 24 (ordirectly from the user remote control 26). These commands arecommunicated to the television interface card 40 as data signals carriedon the subscriber premises wiring ("in-home cable wiring") 14 (or in thecase where the commands are received from the user remote, via awireless RF link). The particular television channel tuned to will carrythe desired television service, which is demodulated by the tuner 70 andpassed on to a conventional audio/video decompression circuit 76. Thiscircuit decodes the selected television service and outputs it to avideo multiplexer 88 and audio multiplexer 90 in a conventional mannerfor subsequent upconversion by upconverter 92 to the particular channelfrequency to which the user's television is tuned. For example, theuser's television may be set to channel 2 or channel 3 in order toreceive all television signals selected via the television interfacecard 40. Alternatively, baseband television signals can be provided aswell known in the art.

Various additional features are provided by the television interfacecard 40. These include security circuitry 72 to prevent signal piracy. Abackward compatible module (BCM) 74 provides compatibility with earlierset-top boxes used in various subscription television systems. Dataprocessing memory 78, boot memory 80, onscreen display memory 82 andvideo memory 84 are provided on the television interface card for use bythe audio/video decompression processor 76 in a conventional manner. Abus controller 86 provides communication between the televisioninterface card 40 and the standard PC bus accessed via card connector94.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment in which communicationsbetween the PC 20 and user television 22 are provided by a wireless link104. The wireless link can comprise, for example, an RF link or an IRlink. The main difference between the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 4 isthat in FIG. 4, the wireless link 104 replaces the use of the in-homecable wiring 14 in order to communicate the in-home video signals andtwo-way control channel data between the PC 20 and the user's television22. User interface module 24 of FIG. 1 is replaced with a wireless userinterface module 100. The wireless user interface module 100 has thesame functionality as the wired user interface module 24 illustrated inFIG. 1. A wireless PC interface 102 communicates with the user interfacemodule 100 over the wireless link. The use of a wireless link, althoughslightly more expensive, obviates the need for the system to tap intothe in-home cable wiring at the subscriber premises. Since the localsignals between the PC and the user's television are not communicatedover the in-home cable wiring, no notch filter is provided as in theembodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the userinterface module 24 of FIGS. 1 and 2. As previously discussed, the userinterface module is coupled to the in-home cable wiring via path 18. Adiplexer 114 couples the cable signals to a converter 110 via a highpass filter (H) portion of the diplexer 114. Converter 110 is aconventional television converter, which converts the receivedtelevision signal to a standard output channel frequency (e.g., channel3) for output to the user's television via line 30. Signals receivedfrom the user's remote control 26 via an IR receiver 112 are output tothe in-home cable wiring via a low pass filter (L) section of diplexer114. The control signals from the IR receiver are coupled to the PC 20via path 18, in-home cable wiring 14, and path 16 as previouslydescribed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the wireless user interfacemodule 100 of FIG. 4. The wireless interface module is substantially thesame as the interface depicted in FIG. 5, except that a transceiver 116is added. The transceiver 116 transmits signals to the PC using, forexample, RF signal transmission. Transceiver 116 receives television andtwo-way control signals from the PC via a similar (e.g., RF) path.

The PC interface 102 of FIG. 4 can comprise a simple antenna, which iscoupled to a transceiver (not shown) on the television interface card 40installed in the PC 20. The transceiver provided on the televisioninterface card will be the counterpart of transceiver 116 illustrated inFIG. 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment in which the subscriberremote control 26 communicates directly with the PC interface 102'. Forexample, the remote control 26 can comprise an RF transmitting deviceinstead of an IR remote control. This arrangement simplifies theelectronics and cost significantly by removing the necessity of atransmitter/receiver in the television interface module 100'.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, PC interface 102' directly receives thecommands entered by the user via the remote control 26. An RFtransceiver in PC interface 102' converts the received RF controlsignals for input to the television interface card 40. Alternatively,the PC interface 102' can comprise a simple RF antenna, in which casethe RF receiver is located directly on the television interface card. Aseparate RF channel is used to communicate the selected televisionsignals via path 104' to the television interface module 100'. Thetelevision interface module 100' is similar to that illustrated in FIG.6, except that transceiver 116 will be replaced with a simple receiversince only one-way reception of signals from the PC is required. Again,the transmitter over which the television signals are communicated fromthe PC to the television interface module 100' can reside on thetelevision interface card 40 or could be located in the PC interface102'. The preferred and more cost effective approach is to place as muchof the hardware on the television interface card 40. In this instance,PC interface 102' is simply an RF antenna which is coupled to thetelevision interface card 40.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 is particularly attractive with digitaltelevision (DTV) and/or high definition television (HDTV) signals. Withsuch signals, broadcast channels will be digital and encrypted, withdecompression and decryption provided by the television 22. Thus,security is maintained over the RF link from the PC interface 102' tothe television interface module 100'. This overcomes the potentialdisadvantage of nondigital television signals, in which the RF signalfrom the PC to the television is "in the clear" whereby subscriptionchannels could potentially be received by adjacent systems in adjoiningapartments, for example.

It should now be appreciated that the present invention enables a PC toperform all of the functionality of a full featured set-top for aremotely connected television. The invention provides a low costalternative to cable, satellite and MMDS providers, and enhances thecapability of the subscriber's personal computer as a multimedia, data,video and audio terminal. Moreover, the capability of the PC far exceedsthat of a conventional fixed hardware, limited memory set-top box. Allset-top applications such as Electronic Program Guide, Internet Browser,and the like are resident in the PC and may be updated or renewed bydownloading new software via a cable, satellite, MMDS or telephonemodem. Digital and/or analog television signals are received into the PCand (when necessary) decompressed. The resulting signals are combinedwith any graphic images being generated at the request of thesubscriber. All of the television related functions take place in themultitasking environment of the PC, allowing free use of the PC forother applications concurrently.

Although the invention has been described in connection with variousillustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated that numerousadaptations and modifications may be made thereto without departing fromthe scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A peripheral device for a personal computer (PC), said PC having a first display associated therewith for displaying information received from the PC, said peripheral device comprising:a television interface for enabling said PC to receive, select and process television signals; and a communications port operatively associated with said television interface for communicating said television signals over a wireless link to a television appliance having a second display associated therewith for displaying television images in accordance with said television signals; said wireless link comprising a first transceiver operatively associated with said television interface for transmitting said television signals to said television appliance and receiving control signals from said television appliance; and a second transceiver operatively associated with said television appliance for receiving said television signals from said television interface and transmitting said control signals from said television appliance.
 2. A peripheral device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said television interface comprises at least one of audio and video decompression means for decoding said television signals.
 3. A peripheral device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said television interface controls television functions in response to PC application software adapted to run on said PC.
 4. A peripheral device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said software enables an electronic program guide function to be provided to said television appliance via said television interface.
 5. A peripheral device in accordance with claim 3 wherein:said software is adapted to run in a multitasking mode with other unrelated applications in said PC, whereby television services provided on said television appliance and unrelated applications provided on said PC can be concurrently accessed.
 6. A peripheral device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said television interface includes means for converting video and audio data into a composite analog waveform complying with a conventional analog television standard.
 7. A peripheral device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said converting means also converts graphics data for insertion into said composite analog waveform.
 8. A peripheral device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said television interface includes means for modulating said television signals on a carrier for output to said television appliance on a standard television channel frequency.
 9. A peripheral device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said television interface includes a coaxial cable connector for coupling said modulated carrier to said television appliance.
 10. A peripheral device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second transceiver includes means for modulating the received television signals on a carrier for output to said television appliance on a standard television channel frequency.
 11. A peripheral device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said television interface includes means for generating video and audio output signals from said television signals enabling television services to be viewed on a display associated with said PC.
 12. A peripheral device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said television interface includes means for providing Internet access to said television appliance via said PC.
 13. A peripheral device in accordance with claim 1 wherein:said communications port is bi-directional; and said PC is responsive to commands received from said television appliance via said communications port for selecting and processing said television signals.
 14. A peripheral device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said television interface includes means for generating an on screen display for output to said television appliance. 